Information service method, information service unit, recording or reproducing controlling method, and recording and/or reproducing unit

ABSTRACT

Unique identification information is prerecorded on a disc. The identification information is registered to a server along with user&#39;s license when he or she buys the disc. When an terminal unit reproduces data from the disc, identification information is read and transmitted to the server through the Internet. The server creates a key that controls to reproduce data from the disc in accordance with the license identified by the identification information and transmits the key to the terminal unit along with the user&#39;s license information for the disc. The terminal unit controls to reproduce contents of the disc in accordance with key and license information transmitted from the server. The license for each disc is managed in accordance with the identification information. Thus, different services can be provided for individual discs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a data recording medium havingunique identification information, a data recording method using thesame, an information terminal unit, an information service method, andan information service unit.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Thus far, data recording mediums such as so-called CD family, onwhich content data is pre-recorded and on which users are prohibitedfrom recording data, have become common. The standard about compactdiscs (CD), which have been widely used, is referred to as compact discaudio (CD-DA) and based on the description of a standard specificationbook called Redbook. Based on the specification, various formats forexample CD-ROM have been standardized and CD family has been set forth.In the following description, CD generally refers to discs of variousformats included in the CD family.

[0005] A CD is produced by a stamper using a master disc. Since CDs canbe easily produced in quantity, they have been widely used. On the otherhand, since CDs are produced by the stamper, it is difficult to recorddata thereon after they have been produced. Thus, since identificationinformation that identifies CDs is not recorded on CDs, they cannot-beidentified. Thus, services with which the CDs provide the users arerestricted.

[0006] To solve such a problem, a technology for adding identificationinformation that is unique to each CD thereto has been proposed. Forrewritable data recording mediums such as Compact Disc Re-Writable(CD-RW) discs on which user can record data, a technology for recordinga media ID that is unique identification information has been proposedas described in Related Art Reference 1.

[0007] 2. Related Art Reference

[0008] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No HEI 11-250572

[0009] Thus far, a system that provides users with servicescorresponding to data recording mediums such as CDs on which ordinaryusers cannot record data using identification information uniquelyrecorded thereon has not been proposed.

[0010] Thus, even if encrypted content data is recorded on a CD, apredetermined decryption key has to be manually input so as to decryptthe encrypted content data. Identification information recorded on a CDcannot be used to decrypt encrypted content data.

[0011] In addition, license information for content data recorded on aCD cannot be set in accordance with identification information recordedthereon.

[0012] At present, a system that protects rights of content datarecorded on a data recording medium such as a CD, on which aconventional user cannot record data, and that allows him or her to usehis or her content data in his or her favorite manner has been desired.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide aninformation service method, an information service unit, a recording orreproducing controlling method, and a recording and/or reproducing unitthat allow a user to be provided with a service corresponding to a datarecording mediums on which the user cannot record data usingidentification information recorded thereon.

[0014] A first aspect of the present invention is an information servicemethod, comprising the steps of: recording identification informationthat is unique to a non-recordable data recording medium thereto;correlatively storing the identification information recorded on thedata recording medium at the identification information recording stepand management information of the data recording medium; reading theidentification information from the data recording medium when data isreproduced from the data recording medium; transmitting theidentification information that has been read at the identificationinformation reading step to a communication network; receiving theidentification information transmitted at the transmitting step throughthe communication network and reading the management information thathas been correlated with the identification information and stored atthe storing step in accordance with the received identificationinformation; and providing a service in accordance with the managementinformation that has been read at the management information readingstep.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is an informationservice system, comprising: an identification information recording unitfor recording identification information that is unique to anon-recordable data recording medium thereto; an information terminalunit having: reproducing means for reproducing data from the datarecording medium, and identification information reading means forreading the identification information from a reproduction output of thereproducing means; and a server unit having: storing means forcorrelatively storing the identification information and managementinformation of the data recording medium, and wherein the server unit isconfigured to read the management information stored by the storingmeans in accordance with the identification information transmitted fromthe information terminal unit and to provide a service in accordancewith the management information to the information terminal unit.

[0016] A third aspect of the present invention is a reproducing orrecording controlling method, comprising the steps of: readingidentification information that is unique to a non-recordable datarecording medium therefrom; transmitting the identification informationthat has been read at the identification information reading step to aserver unit that has correlatively stored the identification informationand management information of the data recording medium on which theidentification information has been recorded; and receiving themanagement information correlated with the transmitted identificationinformation from the server unit, wherein it is controlled whether toreproduce the content data from the data recording medium or to recordthe content data reproduced form the data recording medium to anotherrecording medium.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a reproducing and/orrecording controlling unit, comprising: identification informationreading means for reading identification information that is unique to anon-recordable data recording medium therefrom; identificationinformation transmitting means for transmitting the identificationinformation that has been read by the identification information readingmeans to a server unit that has correlatively stored the identificationinformation and management information of the data recording medium onwhich the identification information has been recorded; and receivingmeans for receiving from the server unit the management informationcorrelated with the identification information transmitted from theidentification information transmitting means, wherein it is controlledwhether to reproduce the content data from the data recording medium orto record the content data reproduced from the data recording medium toanother data recording medium in accordance with the managementinformation received by the receiving means.

[0018] According to the present invention, identification informationthat is unique to a non-recordable data recording medium is recordedthereto. The identification information recorded on the data recordingmedium and management information of the data recording medium arecorrelatively stored. The identification information is read from thedata recording medium when data is reproduced from the data recordingmedium. The identification information that has been read is transmittedto a communication network. The identification information is receivedthrough the communication network. The management information that hasbeen correlated with the identification information and stored inaccordance with the received identification information is read. Aservice is provided in accordance with the management information thathas been read. Thus, a service in accordance with each data recordingmedium can be provided.

[0019] According to the present invention, identification informationthat is unique to a non-recordable data recording medium is readtherefrom. The identification information that has been read istransmitted to a server unit that has correlatively stored theidentification information and management information of the datarecording medium on which the identification information has beenrecorded. The management information correlated with the transmittedidentification information is received from the server unit. It iscontrolled whether to reproduce the content data from the data recordingmedium or to record the content data reproduced form the data recordingmedium to another recording medium. With a non-recordable data recordingmedium on which an ordinary user cannot additionally record data, it canbe controlled for each data recording medium whether to reproduce thecontent data from the data recording medium or to record the contentdata reproduced form the data recording medium to another recordingmedium

[0020] These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an example ofa UID.

[0022]FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a part of aconventional CD.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing a flow of a production steps ofa CD.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram practically describing an additionalrecording method of a UID.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram describing a system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram describing the system according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of managementinformation managed by a management server.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an example ofuse limit information according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of a processperformed by an information terminal unit and the management server whena disc is used.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a structure of an example of adata reproducing unit according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram describing an example of a methodfor causing the data reproducing unit to control a data recording unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodimentof the present invention will be described. According to the presentinvention, with a data recording medium on which copyrighted contentdata and unique identification information that identifies an individualare pre-recorded and on which external data cannot be recorded (forexample, a CD), the identification information and license informationof the content data are correlatively registered to a server. As aresult, the license information of content data can be controlled foreach recording medium.

[0033] When the user side reproduces data from a data recording medium,identification information recorded thereon is sent to a server. Theserver gives the user a license of content data in accordance with thereceived identification information. Thus, the user can reproduce, copy,and move content data recorded on the data recording medium inaccordance with the license information correlated with theidentification information.

[0034] In this description, the “copy” represents an operation foralmost identically copying copyrighted data recorded on a first datarecording medium to a second data recording medium. When the copyoperation is performed, data is not erased form the source recordingmedium (first data recording medium), but remained thereon. Both theoriginal data and copied data can be reproduced. The “move” representsan operation for almost identically copying copyrighted data recorded ona first data recording medium to a second recording medium. In thiscase, the original data on the first data recording medium cannot bereproduced.

[0035] In addition, identification information recorded on each datarecording medium is referred to as Unique Identifier (UID). It ispreferred that a UID is unique for each data recording medium. Forexample, a combination of production company number of a productioncompany that produced the data recording medium, a UID writing unitnumber of a UID writing unit that wrote the UID, and a serial number canbe used as a UID. In reality, it is thought that a UID may be unique inthe production company and the model name of the data recording medium.

[0036] In the case of a CD-DA disc of the CD family, as shown in FIG. 1,a UID is composed of an album common number that represents an albumrecorded on the CD-DA and a serial number unique to the disc.

[0037] Of course, the structure of a UID is not limited to the forgoingstructure. In the case of a CD-ROM disc on which conventional data andprograms are recorded as a data recording medium, an album common numbercan be substituted with information that represents a model number. Notlimited to two types of information of an album common number and aserial number, a UID may be composed of a combination of more types ofinformation. Alternatively, a UID may be composed of only a serialnumber.

[0038] Next, an example of a method for additionally recording a UID ona CD will be described. A UID is recorded in such a manner that it canbe read by for example a conventional CD player or a conventional CD-ROMdrive. First of all, for easy understanding, the structure of an opticaldisc for example a CD, which is included in the CD family, will bedescribed.

[0039]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of a conventional CD.Concave portions that are referred to as pits and lands that are no-pitareas are alternately formed on tracks having a predetermined trackpitch (for example, 1.6 μm). The lengths of pits and lands are in therange from 3T to 11T where T represents the minimum inversion interval.Laser light is radiated from the rear surface of the CD.

[0040] The CD is composed of a transparent disc substrate 1 having athickness of 1.2 mm, a reflection film 2 coated thereon, and aprotection film 3 coated thereon. As the reflection film 2, one having ahigh reflectance is used. The CD is a read-only disc. However, as willbe described later, after the reflection film 2 is coated, information(UID) is recorded on the reflection film 2 with the laser light.

[0041] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a flow of the production steps ofthe CD will be described. At step S1, a glass master on which photoresist, which is a photosensitive material, is coated on a glasssubstrate is rotated by a spindle motor. Laser light that is turnedon/off in accordance with a record signal is radiated on the photoresist film. As a result, a master is produced. A developing process isperformed for the photo resist film. When the resist is of positivetype, the exposed portion is melted. An uneven pattern is formed on thephoto resist film.

[0042] The photo resist master is plated by an electroplating method. Asa result, one metal master is produced (at step S2). With the metalmaster, a plurality of mothers are produced (at step S3). In addition,with the mother, a plurality of stampers are produced (at step S4). Withthe stamper, a disc substrate is produced. The disc substrate isproduced by the compression molding method, the injection moldingmethod, the light setting method, or the like. At step S6, a reflectionfilm and a protection film are coated. In the conventional discproduction method, a label is printed on the CD.

[0043] In the example, shown in FIG. 3, laser light is radiated to thereflection film (a mirror portion, for example a land). In addition,information is additionally recorded at step S7. Laser light is radiatedon the reflection film. The land on the reflection film is heated(thermally recorded). As a result, atoms are traveled and thereby thefilm structure and crystallization are varied. Thus, the reflectance ofthe portion decreases. As a result, after laser light is radiated, thereflection of the laser light from the land becomes small. Thus, areading unit recognizes the land as a pit. With this characteristics,the pit length or the land length can be varied so as to recordinformation. In this case, the reflection film is made of a materialthat allows the reflectance thereof to be varied by laser radiation.There is a material whose reflectance increases by the additionalrecording process.

[0044] In reality, the reflection film is made of an aluminum alloyAl_(100−x)X_(x) where X is at least one element selected from a groupconsisting of Ge, Ti, Ni, Si, Tb, Fe, and Ag. The composition rate x ofthe Al alloy film is selected in the range of 5<x<50 [atomic %].

[0045] Alternatively, the reflection film may be also made of an Agalloy film Ag_(100−x)X_(x) where X is at least one element selected froma group consisting of Ge, Ti, Ni, Si, Tb, Fe, and Al. The compositionrate x of the Ag alloy film is selected in the range of 5<x<50 [atomic%]. The reflection film can be formed by for example the magnetronspattering method.

[0046] For example, in the condition that the reflection film of AlGealloy is formed with a thickness of 50 nm, laser light is radiated froma transparent substrate side or a protection film side through anobjective lens, if the composition rate of Ge is 20 [atomic %] and therecording power is in the range from 6 to 7 [mW], the reflectancedecreases by around 6%. In such a condition, if the composition rate ofGe is 27.6 [atomic %] and the recording power is in the range from 5 to8 [mW], the reflectance decreases by 7 to 8%. Since the reflectancevaries in such a manner, additional data can be recorded on thereflection film.

[0047]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram more practically describing a methodfor additionally recording a UID. There are two patterns that representthe relation of record data, pits, and lands depending on the precedingpattern. The two patterns are referred to as pattern A and pattern B.

[0048] First, the pattern A will be described. Three merging bits forexample (000) are inserted between adjacent symbols. When the UIS isrecorded, a data symbol of eight bits is for example (0x47) where Oxrepresents hexadecimal notation. FIG. 4 shows a 14-bit pattern(00100100100100) whose eight bits have been modulated in accordance withthe Eight to Fourteen Modulation (EFM) system.

[0049] A laser beam with which the UID is recorded is radiated in ahatched area between the two pits. As a result, the reflectance of thehatched area decreases. After the UID has been recorded, the two pitsare connected and reproduced as one pit. In this case, the 14-bitpattern becomes (00100100000000). When the 14-bit pattern isEFM-demodulated, it is demodulated as eight bits (0x07).

[0050] In the case of the pattern B, the merging bits are (001). In thiscase, as with the pattern A, when a laser beam is radiated to thehatched area, eight bits can be varied from (0x47) to (0x07).

[0051] As described above, a data symbol (0x47) can be rewritten to(0x07). There are many types of data that can be additionally recorded.A data symbol (0x40) can be varied to (0x00). However, when the UID isadditionally recorded, laser is radiated to a mirror portion in whichdata has been recorded so as to vary the pit length or the land length.Thus, the types of data that can be additionally recorded arerestricted.

[0052] When the reflection film of the CD is peeled off, the UID thathas been additionally recorded is lost. Thus, the UID cannot be forged.

[0053] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the UID isadditionally recorded on a disc 100 when it is shipped from the factory.As described above, the UID is unique to the disc 100. The position atwhich the UID is recorded on the disc 100 is predetermined. Positioninformation that represents the position of the UID is recorded in aTable Of Contents (TOC) area of the disc 100.

[0054] Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a system according tothe embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 5, adedicated terminal unit 10 is for example a terminal unit disposed at astore that sells the disc 100. The dedicated terminal unit 10 has thesame structure as a conventional computer unit. In addition, thededicated terminal unit 10 has a drive device that can read the UIDrecorded on the disc 100.

[0055] The dedicated terminal unit 10 is connected to a managementserver 20 through a dedicated communication line (hereinafter referredto dedicated line). Of course, the dedicated terminal unit 10 may beconnected to the management server 20 through a public telephone line orthe like instead of the dedicated line. The management server 20 has asimilar structure to a conventional server unit. The management server20 has a database that correlates the UID and the attribute informationof the disc 100 and manages use limit information of the disc 100identified by the UID.

[0056] When the user buys the disc 100 at the store, he or she selects alicense of the disc 100 to be bought. The license of the disc 100 iscomposed of the number of times the contents recorded on the disc 100can be reproduced, the reproduction expiration date and time, and thenumber of times the contents can be copied. It is preferred that theuser should pay a license fee corresponding to the selected license.

[0057] After the license of the disc 100 has been selected, the disc 100is loaded into the dedicated terminal unit 10. The dedicated terminalunit 10 reads the UID recorded on the disc 100. The UID that has beenread is transmitted to the management server 20 through the dedicatedline along with the selected license. The license is correlated as uselimit information of the disc 100 identified by the UID therewith andstored in the management server 20. The UID and the use limitinformation are registered as management information to the managementserver 20.

[0058] When the user uses the disc 100 that he or she bought in such amanner, he or she obtains from the management server 20 a key thatallows him or her to use the disc 100 in accordance with the UID and thelicense that have been registered when he or she bought the disc 100. InFIG. 6, an information terminal unit 30 is a user side terminal unit.For example, the information terminal unit 30 is composed of aconventional computer unit. The terminal unit is also provided with adrive unit that allows the user to use the disc 100 with a predeterminedkey.

[0059] The information terminal unit 30 is connected to the Internet 31through a communication system using a public telephone line such as theAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or the Integrated ServiceDigital Network (ISDN) or a communication system using a CableTelevision (CATV) line. The foregoing management server 20 is alsoconnected to the Internet 31 through for example a dedicated line. Inother words, the information terminal unit 30 can communicate with themanagement server 20 through the Internet 31.

[0060] When the disc 100 is loaded into the information terminal unit30, the UID is read from the disc 100. The UID that has been read istransmitted to the management server 20 through the Internet 31. Themanagement server 20 creates a key in accordance with use limitinformation correlated with the transmitted UID and rewrites the uselimit information so that the license is consumed by one level. Thecreated key information is transmitted to the information terminal unit30 through the Internet 31. The information terminal unit 30 allows theuser to use the disc 100 with the key transmitted from the managementserver 20.

[0061] Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, management informationregistered in the management server 20 will be practically described.The management server 20 registers and manages management informationfor each UID. When the disc 100 is for example a CD-DA disc, as shown in“Management Information” field of FIG. 7, the album common number of theUID and the album attribute information represented by the album commonnumber are correlated. The album attribute information is composed ofstamp factory information of the factory that produced the disc, a labelname of a company that produced the album, an album name, an artistname, and release date information.

[0062] On the other hand, the serial number of the UIP of each disc andthe use limit information are correlated. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the uselimit information is represented as Digital Rights Management (DRM)information. In accordance with the use limit information, a license forreproducing, copying, and moving contents recorded on the discidentified by the UID can be managed for each disc. In other words, themanagement server 20 can manage the use mode of each disc according tothe UID.

[0063]FIG. 8A shows a structure of an example of the use limitinformation (DRM information) according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. In the example, the use limit information is composed of thenumber of times the contents recorded on the disc 100 can be reproduced,the reproduction expiration date and time, and the number of times thecontents can be copied. The DRM information is correlated with theserial number of each disc 100. As a result, the license of the contentscan be controlled for each disc 100.

[0064] When the UID is recorded to the disc 100 at the factory, the UIDand the attribute information of the disc 100, on which the UID has beenrecorded, are stored in the management server 20 for each disc 100(namely, for each UID). At that point, the serial number of each disc(each UID) is correlated with default use limit information and stored.As shown in FIG. 8B, the default use limit information is composed ofthe number of times the contents can be reproduced, the reproductionexpiration date and time, and the number of times the contents can becopied that are for example unlimited, unlimited, and one time,respectively. In such a manner, the default management information foreach UID is registered to the management server 20.

[0065] The disc 100 whose license information has been registered to themanagement server 20 is delivered to the store and then sold to theuser. At that point, as described above, the UID of the disc 100 is readby the dedicated terminal unit 10 on the store side. The user selects alicense for the contents recorded on the disc 100. As a result, thelicense for the contents recorded on the disc 100 is set.

[0066] A license that the user can select is the number of times thecontents can be reproduced (for example, unlimited, ten times, or fivetimes), the reproduction expiration date and time (for example,unlimited or one month), and the number of times the contents can becopied (for example, unlimited, three times, one time, or zero time(copy prohibited)). The license scope that the user can select maydepend on the fee that the user pays. For example, the default licensescope that is set on the store side may be a combination of the numberof times the contents can be reproduced=unlimited, the reproductionexpiration date and time=unlimited, and the number of times the contentscan be copied=0. Depending on the fee that the user pays, the number oftimes the contents can be copied may be increased against the defaultlicense.

[0067] The license selected by the user when he or she bought the disc100 and the UID of the disc 100 whose license was selected aretransmitted to the management server 20. These information is receivedby the management server 20. The management server 20 rewrites themanagement information identified by the UID in accordance with thereceived license.

[0068] As shown in the field “Rewriting of management information” ofFIG. 7, the use limit information (DRM information) correlated with theserial number of each disc is rewritten. The attribute information ofthe album correlated with the album common number is not rewritten. Whenthe disc 100 was bought at the store, the use limit information istransmitted to the management server 20 and initially set. When the uselimit information is initially set, the license for the disc 100 isactivated. The user can use the contents recorded on the disc 100 inaccordance with the license that was set when he or she bought the disc100.

[0069] The disc 100 that the user bought is loaded into the informationterminal unit 30. The user reproduces, copies, and performs otheroperations for the contents recorded on the disc 100 in accordance withthe license that was set when the user bought the disc 100. Whenever thedisc 100 is used, data is communicated between the information terminalunit 30 and the management server 20. The use limit information of themanagement information identified by the UID of the disc 100 isrewritten.

[0070] When the number of times of contents can be copied of the uselimit information is set to five times and the contents recorded on thedisc 100 are copied one time by the information terminal unit 30, thenumber of times the contents can be copied is decreased by 1 and becomesfour times. When the contents of the disc 100 are reproduced one time bythe information terminal unit 30, the number of times of contents can bereproduced is not rewritten in the management server 20.

[0071]FIG. 9 shows an example of a process performed by the informationterminal unit 30 and the management server 20 when the user uses thedisc 100. First, the user loads the disc 100 into the informationterminal unit 30. The information terminal unit 30 reproduces data fromthe disc 100 (at step S10). The UID is read from the disc 100 (at stepS11). After the UID has been read, at step S12, the information terminalunit 30 is automatically connected to the management server 20 throughthe Internet 31. The UID that has been read from the disc 100 istransmitted to the management server 20 (in SEQ 10).

[0072] The uniform resource locator (URL) of the management server 20 onthe Internet 31 can be pre-recorded in a predetermined area of the disc100. When the UID is read at step S11, the area is also accessed for theURL. As the predetermined area, for example a sub code area can be used.Alternatively, as information of the UID, the URL can be furtherrecorded. In addition, the URL of the management server 20 may bepre-stored in a non-volatile storing means that the information terminalunit 30 has.

[0073] The UID that has been transmitted in SEQ 10 is received by themanagement server 20 at step S20. At step S21, the management server 20searches for management information corresponding to the received UID.The management server 20 extracts the use limit information for thecontents recorded on the disc 100 on which the UID has been recordedfrom the searched management information. At step S22, the extracted uselimit information is transmitted to the information terminal unit 30 (inSEQ 11).

[0074] At step S13, the use limit information transmitted from themanagement server 20 in SEQ 11 is received by the information terminalunit 30. The information terminal unit 30 prompts the user to select theuse mode of the disc 100 loaded into the information terminal unit 30and reproduced at step S10 on a display means thereof in accordance withthe received use limit information (at step S14).

[0075] When the received use limit information represents that thenumber of times the contents can be reproduced, the reproductionexpiration date and time, and the number of times the contents can becopied are unlimited, unlimited, and five times, respectively, they aredisplayed on the display means of the information terminal unit 30. Inaddition, the information terminal unit 30 prompts the user to reproducethe contents of the disc 100, copy the contents of the disc 100 toanother recording medium, or perform no operation.

[0076] When the received use limit information represents that thenumber of times the contents can be reproduced, the reproductionexpiration date and time, and the number of times the contents can becopied are five times, more 25 days, and zero time, respectively, theyare displayed on the display means. In addition, the informationterminal unit 30 prompts the user whether to reproduce the contentsrecorded on the disc 100. In this case, since the number of times thecontents can be copied is zero time, the contents are prohibited frombeing copied. Thus, the information terminal unit 30 does not prompt theuser to copy the contents.

[0077] When the user selects the use mode of the disc 100 loaded intothe information terminal unit 30 in accordance with the indication atstep S14, the flow advances to step S15. At step S15, a request inaccordance with the selected use mode is transmitted from theinformation terminal unit 30. In this case, it is assumed that as theuse mode of the disc 100 the user has selected a copy operation forcontents recorded on the disc 100 to another recording medium.

[0078] In SEQ 12, the request is transmitted from the informationterminal unit 30 to the management server 20. At step S23, the requestis received by the management server 20. When the request is received bythe management server 20, the flow advances to step S24. At step S24,the management server 20 rewrites its managed use limit information inaccordance with the received request.

[0079] When the use limit information managed by the management server20 represents that the number of times the contents can be copied isfive times and the request represents that contents recorded on the disc100 is to be copied to another recording medium one time, the number oftimes the contents can be copied of the use limit information isdecreased by one and rewritten as four times.

[0080] When the user repeats the copy operation for the contents of thedisc 100 and the number of times the contents can be copied of the uselimit information is rewritten to zero time, the user loses the licensefor copying the contents recorded to another recording medium iscreated.

[0081] In addition, at step S24, a key that allows the user to use thedisc 100 in the requested use mode is created. In the example, a keythat allows the information terminal unit 30 to copy the contentsrecorded on the disc 100 on which the UID has been recorded to berecorded to another recording medium.

[0082] The key created at step S24 is transmitted from the managementserver 20 to the information terminal unit 30 along with licenseinformation in accordance with the use limit information rewritten atstep S24 (at step S25, in SEQ 13). At step S16, the key and the licenseinformation are received by the information terminal unit 30. With thereceived key, the information terminal unit 30 uses the disc 100 inaccordance with the license represented with the license information (atstep S17).

[0083] The license information contains information that representsrelevant contents and information that represents the use mode for thecontents. The information terminal unit 30 may display the receivedlicense information on the display means and ask the user whether or notto accept it.

[0084] The key functions as for example a flag that controls apredetermined operation of the information terminal unit 30.Alternatively, the contents recorded on the disc 100 may have beenencrypted. The key may be a decryption key that allows the encryptedcontents to be decrypted. In this case, the key is created with the UID.When the information terminal unit 30 side combines the key receivedfrom the management server 20 and the UID recorded on the disc 100, thekey may be used as a decryption key that allows contents to bedecrypted.

[0085] It is preferred that all the process described in FIG. 9 exceptthe display process for the user and the user input process are executedon background namely automatically without an intervention of the user.Thus, the user can only load the disc 100 into a data reproducing unit200 that will be described later and select the use mode of the disc.

[0086] In the foregoing example, all the management information of eachUID is managed by the management server 20. Alternatively, themanagement information may be transferred to the user side informationterminal unit 30.

[0087] For example, when the use limit information of a particular UIDrepresents that the number of times the contents can be copied tentimes, the use limit information that allows the contents to be copiedthree times is transferred to the information terminal unit 30 side andthe use limit information that allows the contents to be copied seventimes is left in the management server 20 side. In this case, when theuser copies the contents recorded on the disc 100 identified by the UIDthree times, he or she needs to only rewrite the management informationof the information terminal unit 30. Thus, the user does not need toaccess the management server 20. In this case, the information terminalunit 30 side can perform all the process shown in FIG. 9 of themanagement server 20.

[0088] After the number of times the contents can be copied of themanagement information of the information terminal unit 30 becomes zerotime, whenever the information terminal unit 30 copies the contentsrecorded on the disc 100 to another disc, the information terminal unit30 accesses the management server 20 and obtains the key and the licenseinformation in accordance with the sequence and steps shown in FIG. 9.

[0089] When the management information is transferred to the informationterminal unit 30 side, the management information is stored in theinformation terminal unit 30 in such a manner that the managementinformation cannot be easily forged. For example, a non-volatile memorythat stores management information can be disposed in the informationterminal unit 30. Alternatively, management information may be writtenin a unique format to a hard disk drive that the information terminalunit 30 has so that the management information can be accessed by onlydedicated software.

[0090]FIG. 10 shows a structure of an example of a data reproducing unitaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The datareproducing unit 200 is built in the foregoing information terminal unit30. The entire data reproducing unit 200 is controlled by a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 40. The CPU 40 has a RAM (not shown) as a workmemory and a ROM (not shown) in which a program such as firmware ispre-recorded. The CPU 40 controls the data reproducing unit 200 inaccordance with a program recorded in the ROM. In addition, the CPU 40has an interface connected to the main body of the information terminalunit 30. The data reproducing unit 200 can be controlled from theinformation terminal unit 30 through the interface.

[0091] An optical system OP 70 comprises an optical pickup portion thatreproduces data from the disc 100, a controlling circuit that controlsthe power and focus of the optical pickup portion, a thread motor drivethat controls the position of the optical pickup, a controlling circuitthat controls the thread motor drive, and so forth. The optical pickupportion has an optical block and a converting portion. The optical blockhas an objective lens, a laser light source, and a light receivingportion that receives laser light reflected by the disc 100. Theconverting portion converts laser light received by the light receivingportion into an electric signal.

[0092] A motor M 54 is a spindle motor that drives rotations of the disc100 loaded into the data reproducing unit 200. The optical system OP 70and the motor M 54 are controlled by a servo circuit 55 in apredetermined manner. The servo circuit 55 is controlled by the CPU 40.

[0093] The reproducing system drives rotations of the disc 100 atConstant Linear Velocity (CLV) under the control of the servo circuit55. The optical system OP 70 controls the intensity of the laser lightso that the contents can be properly reproduced. The optical system OP70 radiates the laser light to the disc 100. The laser light isreflected on the disc 100 and received by the light receiving portion.The light receiving portion converts the received light into an electricsignal as a reproduction signal. The reproduction signal is output fromthe optical system OP 70 and supplied to an RF portion 50. The RFportion 50 performs a predetermined signal process such as a waveformtrimming process for the reproduction signal and outputs a reproductiondigital signal.

[0094] The RF portion 50 extracts a clock from the reproduction signalthat is output from the optical system OP 70 and supplies the clock tothe servo circuit 55.

[0095] The reproduction digital signal that is output from the RFportion 50 is supplied to an Eight-to-Fifteen Modulation (EFM)demodulating circuit 51. The EFM demodulating circuit 51 demodulates asignal that was EFM-modulated when data was irecorded and outputsreproduction digital data. The reproduction digital data is supplied toa Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code (CIRC) error correcting circuit 52.In addition, the reproduction digital data is supplied to a Table OfContents (TOC) reading circuit 56.

[0096] The CIRC error correcting circuit 52 decodes the suppliedreproduction digital data with the CIRC error correction code andcorrects an error thereof. The reproduction data that has beenerror-corrected by the CIRC error correcting circuit 52 is supplied to aCD-ROM decoder 53. The CD-ROM decoder 53 decodes the error correctioncode in accordance with the CD-ROM and further corrects an error of thereproduction data. Output data of the CD-ROM decoder 53 is supplied to aswitch circuit 58.

[0097] On the other hand, when the optical system OP 70 accesses alead-in area of the disc 100, the TOC reading circuit 56 reads TOC datafrom the supplied reproduction digital data. The TOC data that has beenread is supplied to a UID area acquiring circuit 57. The UID areaacquiring circuit 57 reads information that represents the recordedposition of the UID from the supplied TOC data.

[0098] The position information that represents the recorded position ofthe UID is output from the UID area acquiring circuit 57 to the CPU 40.The CPU 40 controls a switch circuit 58 in accordance with the positioninformation. In other words, the CPU 40 controls the switch circuit 58so that the switch circuit 58 selects a terminal 58B at a timing ofwhich the CD-ROM decoder 53 outputs the UID. The CPU 40 controls theswitch circuit 58 so that the switch circuit 58 selects a terminal 58Aat other timings. An output of the terminal 58A of the switch circuit 58is sent to an output terminal 61 through a switch circuit 64.

[0099] An output of the terminal 58B of the switch circuit 58 issupplied to a UID reading circuit 59. The UID reading circuit 59 reads aUID from the supplied data. The UID that has been read is supplied tothe CPU 40 and stored in a predetermined area of a memory 41. Inaddition, the UID is supplied to a terminal 62. As described above, theUID supplied to the terminal 62 is transmitted to the management server20. The UID is supplied from the terminal 62 to the main body of theinformation terminal unit 30. Using the communication function of themain body of the information terminal unit 30, the UID is transmitted tothe Internet 31. Alternatively, the data reproducing unit 200 may have acommunication function to the Internet 31.

[0100] The information terminal unit 30 and the management server 20perform the process as described with reference to FIG. 9 in accordancewith the UID read from the disc 100 and transmitted from the informationterminal unit 30. In the process, a key and license information aretransmitted from the management server 20 to the information terminalunit 30 (in SEQ 13 shown in FIG. 9). This signal is received by theinformation terminal unit 30 and input from a terminal 63 to the datareproducing unit 200. A UID/license information/key informationreceiving circuit 60 extracts the key and license information from thesupplied signal. The extracted key and license information are suppliedto the CPU 40 and stored in a memory 41.

[0101] The CPU 40 outputs a control signal that controls thereproduction of the disc 100 loaded into the data reproducing unit 200in accordance with the key and/or license information. When the keyand/or license information prohibits the contents recorded on the disc100 from being reproduced, the CPU 40 outputs a control signal thatturns off (closes) the switch circuit 64.

[0102] Thus, data that is reproduced from the disc 100 is not output tothe outside of the data reproducing unit 200. As a result, the contentsrecorded on the disc 100 cannot be reproduced and copied to anotherrecording medium.

[0103] When the disc 100 is a CD-DA disc (not shown), data is extractedfrom the CIRC error correcting circuit 52. The data is output to theoutside through circuits corresponding to the switch circuit 58 and theswitch circuit 64. Likewise, the data is supplied to the UID readingcircuit 59 through a circuit corresponding to the switch circuit 58. TheUID reading circuit 59 reads the UID.

[0104] The reproduction control using the key and/or license informationis not limited by on/off control of the switch circuit 64.Alternatively, the reproduction control may be performed by for examplethe CD-ROM decoder 53.

[0105] Alternatively, in SEQ 13 shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the keyand license information, the UID transmitted from the informationterminal unit 30 to the management server 20 in SEQ 10 may betransmitted from the management server 20 to the information terminalunit 30. When the UID is received by the information terminal unit 30,the UID is supplied from the terminal 63 to the UID/licenseinformation/key information receiving circuit 60 and then sent to theCPU 40. When the disc 100 is loaded into the data reproducing unit 200,the UID is read from the TOC. By comparing the UID stored in the memory41 and the UID transmitted from the management server 20, it can bedetermined whether or not a communication process is properly preformedbetween the information terminal unit 30 and the management server 20.

[0106] Alternatively, when the information terminal unit 30 sidereceives the UID transmitted from the management server 20 in SEQ 13,the information terminal unit 30 may re-read the UID from the disc 100loaded into the data reproducing unit 200 and compare the UID that hasbeen read and the UID transmitted from the management server 20. Thus,it may be determined whether or not key and license have been given fora valid disc.

[0107] The copy control for contents recorded on the disc 100 to anotherrecording medium may be performed by the data reproducing unit 200. Nextwith reference to FIG. 11, an example of a method for causing the datareproducing unit 200 to control a data recording unit 300 will bedescribed. The data recording unit 300 records input data on a recordingmedium 302 such as a CD-R disc or a CD-RW disc under the control of aCPU 301.

[0108] In FIG. 11, similar portions to those in FIG. 10 are denoted bysimilar reference numerals and their description will be omitted. InFIG. 11, for simplicity, in the data reproducing unit 200, only a CPU 40that controls all the portions of the data reproducing unit 200 isshown. Other portions are omitted. Likewise, in the data recording unit300, only a CPU 301 that controls all the portions of the data recordingunit 300 is shown. Other portions are omitted.

[0109] The data reproducing unit 200 reproduces data from the disc 100and supplies the data to the data recording unit 300. As the datareproducing unit 200 reproduces data form the disc 100, the datareproducing unit 200 performs the process as shown in FIG. 9 with themanagement server 20 (not shown). In this process, the CPU 40 outputs acontrol signal that controls to copy contents recorded on the disc 100to another recording medium in accordance with the key and licenseinformation transmitted from the management server 20. The controlsignal is supplied to the CPU 301 of the data recording unit 300.

[0110] The CPU 301 controls whether or not to record data that is inputto the data recording unit 300 to the recording medium 302 in accordancewith a control signal supplied from the CPU 40 of the data reproducingunit 200. Thus, the data reproducing unit 200 side can control the datarecording unit 300 that record data to the recording medium 302. As aresult, the data recording unit 300 can restrict a copy operation forcontents recorded on the disc 100 to another disc. In the foregoingexample, the recording medium 302 is an optical disc such as a CD-R discor a CD-RW disc. However, the present invention is not limited to suchan recording medium. The recording medium 302 may be another type of arecording medium on which digital data can be recorded such as a harddisk drive, a semiconductor memory, or a magneto-optical disc. Inaddition, the data recording unit 300 may be build in an informationterminal unit such as a computer unit. Alternatively, the data recordingunit 300 may be built in the information terminal unit 30 along with thedata reproducing unit 200. Alternatively, the data recording unit 300may be connected to the information terminal unit 30 and used along withthe data reproducing unit 200.

[0111] In the foregoing example, the disc 100 is a CD on which datacannot be recorded by a ordinary user. However, it should be noted thatthe present invention is not limited to such an example. Even if thedisc 100 is a CD-R disc, if it has been finalized, the user cannotadditionally record data on the disc 100. Thus, the present inventioncan be applied to the case that contents are sold as a finalized CD-Rdisc.

[0112] As described above, according to the present invention, each disccan be identified with a UID. In addition, since management informationfor each UID is stored in the server, different services can be providedto discs on which the same contents are recorded.

[0113] For example, even if contents recorded on discs are the same, thevalues corresponding to the fees the user paid can be added to thediscs.

[0114] In addition, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, each disc can be identified with a UID. In addition, sincelicense information for each UID is stored in the server. Thus, thecopyright of contents recorded on each disc can be managed for eachdisc.

[0115] Although the present invention has been shown and described withrespect to a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information service method, comprising thesteps of: recording identification information that is unique to anon-recordable data recording medium thereto; correlatively storing theidentification information recorded on the data recording medium at theidentification information recording step and management information ofthe data recording medium; reading the identification information fromthe data recording medium when data is reproduced from the datarecording medium; transmitting the identification information that hasbeen read at the identification information reading step to acommunication network; receiving the identification informationtransmitted at the transmitting step through the communication networkand reading the management information that has been correlated with theidentification information and stored at the storing step in accordancewith the received identification information; and providing a service inaccordance with the management information that has been read at themanagement information reading step.
 2. The information service methodas set forth in claim 1, wherein the data recording medium is an opticaldisc of which a reproduction signal is obtained in accordance withreflected light of radiated light.
 3. The information service method asset forth in claim 1, wherein the management information contains uselimit information that represents a license of a user for content datarecorded on the data recording medium.
 4. The information service methodas set forth in claim 3, wherein the use limit information contains atleast one of the number of times the content data recorded on the datarecording medium can be reproduced, the reproduction expiration date andtime, and the number of times the content data recorded on the datarecording medium can be copied.
 5. The information service method as setforth in claim 3, further comprising: setting the use limit informationwhen the data recording medium is obtained, wherein the managementinformation that is correlated with the identification information andstored at the storing step is set in accordance with the use limitinformation that has been set at the use limit information setting step.6. The information service method as set forth in claim 1, wherein whenthe data recording medium is used, the identification information isread from the data recording medium and the management information isrewritten in accordance with the identification information that hasbeen read and a use mode.
 7. The information service method as set forthin claim 1, further comprising the step of: issuing key data that allowsthe content data recorded on the data recording medium to be reproducedin accordance with the management information that has been read at themanagement information reading step.
 8. The information service methodas set forth in claim 7, wherein the key data issued at the key issuingstep is transmitted to a reproducing side that reproduces data from thedata recording medium through the communication network.
 9. Theinformation service method as set forth in claim 7, wherein licenseinformation for content data recorded on the data recording medium isadded to the key data issued at the key issuing step in accordance withthe management information and transmitted through the communicationnetwork.
 10. An information service system, comprising: anidentification information recording unit for recording identificationinformation that is unique to a non-recordable data recording mediumthereto; an information terminal unit having: reproducing means forreproducing data from the data recording medium, and identificationinformation reading means for reading the identification informationfrom a reproduction output of the reproducing means; and a server unithaving: storing means for correlatively storing the identificationinformation and management information of the data recording medium, andwherein the server unit is configured to read the management informationstored by the storing means in accordance with the identificationinformation transmitted from the information terminal unit and toprovide a service in accordance with the management information to theinformation terminal unit.
 11. The information service system as setforth in claim 10, wherein the data recording medium is an optical discof which a reproduction signal is obtained in accordance with reflectedlight of radiated light.
 12. The information service system as set forthin claim 10, wherein the management information contains use limitinformation that represents a license of a user for content datarecorded on the data recording medium.
 13. The information servicesystem as set forth in claim 12, wherein the use limit informationcontains at least one of the number of times the content data recordedon the data recording medium can be reproduced, the reproductionexpiration date and time, and the number of times the content datarecorded on the data recording medium can be copied.
 14. The informationservice system as set forth in claim 10, further comprising: anidentification information reading unit for reading the identificationinformation recorded on the data recording medium and transmitting theidentification information to the server unit when the data recordingmedium is obtained.
 15. The information service system as set forth inclaim 14, wherein the identification information reading unit isconfigured to set user's license for the data recording medium andtransmit the license to the server unit along with the identificationinformation.
 16. The information service system as set forth in claim10, wherein when data is reproduced from the data recording medium, theidentification information that has been read from the data recordingmedium and information that represents a use mode of the data recordingmedium are transmitted from the information terminal unit to the serverunit, and wherein the server unit is configured to rewrite themanagement information in accordance with the identification informationand the information that represents the uses state that have beentransmitted.
 17. The information service system as ste forth in claim10, wherein when data is reproduced from the data recording medium bythe reproducing means, the information terminal unit is configured totransmit the identification information that has been read by theidentification information reading means to the server unit, and whereinthe server unit is configured to issue key data that allows content datarecorded on the data recording medium to be reproduced in accordancewith the management information that has been read from the storingmeans in accordance with the identification information that has beentransmitted and transmit the key data to the information terminal unit.18. The information service system as set forth in claim 17, whereinlicense information for content data recorded on the data recordingmedium is added to the key data in accordance with the managementinformation.
 19. The information service system as set forth in claim10, wherein the information terminal unit is configured to store a partof the management information.
 20. A reproducing or recordingcontrolling method, comprising the steps of: reading identificationinformation that is unique to a non-recordable data recording mediumtherefrom; transmitting the identification information that has beenread at the identification information reading step to a server unitthat has correlatively stored the identification information andmanagement information of the data recording medium on which theidentification information has been recorded; and receiving themanagement information correlated with the transmitted identificationinformation from the server unit, wherein it is controlled whether toreproduce the content data from the data recording medium or to recordthe content data reproduced form the data recording medium to anotherrecording medium.
 21. The reproducing or recording controlling method asset forth in claim 20, wherein the data recording medium is an opticaldisc of which a reproduction signal is obtained in accordance withreflected light of radiated light.
 22. The reproducing or recordingcontrolling method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the managementinformation contains use limit information that represents a license ofa user for content data recorded on the data recording medium.
 23. Thereproducing or recording controlling method as set forth in claim 22,wherein the use limit information contains at least one of the number oftimes the content data recorded on the data recording medium can bereproduced, the reproduction expiration date and time, and the number oftimes the content data recorded on the data recording medium can becopied.
 24. The reproducing or recording controlling method as set forthin claim 20, wherein the server unit is configured to transmit key datathat has been issued by the server unit in accordance with themanagement information correlated with the identification information,the key data being configured to control whether to reproduce contentdata recorded on the data recording medium or to record the content datarecorded on the data recording medium to another recording medium. 25.The reproducing or recording controlling method as set forth in claim24, wherein license information for the content data recorded on thedata recording medium is further added to the key data in accordancewith the management information.
 26. A reproducing and/or recordingcontrolling unit, comprising: identification information reading meansfor reading identification information that is unique to anon-recordable data recording medium therefrom; identificationinformation transmitting means for transmitting the identificationinformation that has been read by the identification information readingmeans to a server unit that has correlatively stored the identificationinformation and management information of the data recording medium onwhich the identification information has been recorded; and receivingmeans for receiving from the server unit the management informationcorrelated with the identification information transmitted from theidentification information transmitting means, wherein it is controlledwhether to reproduce the content data from the data recording medium orto record the content data reproduced from the data recording medium toanother data recording medium in accordance with the managementinformation received by the receiving means.
 27. The reproducing and/orrecording controlling unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein the datarecording medium is an optical disc of which a reproduction signal isobtained in accordance with reflected light of radiated light.
 28. Thereproducing and/or recording controlling unit as set forth in claim 20,wherein the management information contains use limit information thatrepresents a license of a user for content data recorded on the datarecording medium.
 29. The reproducing and/or recording controlling unitas set forth in claim 22, wherein the use limit information contains atleast one of the number of times the content data recorded on the datarecording medium can be reproduced, the reproduction expiration date andtime, and the number of times the content data recorded on the datarecording medium can be copied.
 30. The reproducing and/or recordingcontrolling unit as set forth in claim 26, wherein the receiving meansis configured to receive key data issued by the server unit inaccordance with the management information correlated with theidentification information transmitted from the identificationinformation transmitting means, the key data being configured to controlwhether to reproduce the content data recorded on the data recordingmedium or to record the content data recording on the data recordingmedium to another recording medium.
 31. The reproducing and/or recordingcontrolling unit as set forth in claim 30, wherein license informationfor the content data recorded on the data recording medium is furtheradded to the key data in accordance with the management information. 32.The reproducing and/or recording controlling unit as set forth in claim26, wherein the unit is configured to store a part of the managementinformation.